Hearing aid construction

ABSTRACT

A spectacle hearing aid construction comprising of a frame including a pair of eyeglass supports connected by a bridge and a pair of temple members hingedly connected thereto. A respective microphone is received in each support and converts sound vibrations into corresponding electric signals. A respective amplifying device in the frame is connected to each microphone for amplifying the electric signals and converting the signals to amplified sound vibrations. A respective sound applicator is connected to each amplifying device for applying the sound vibrations from the associated amplifying device to each ear of the user. The pair of microphones permits realization of the spacial resolution of the sound.

United States Patent [191 Dunlavy [4 1 Jan. 29, 1974 HEARING AIDCONSTRUCTION [52] US. Cl 179/107 S, 179/107 FD [51] Int. Cl G02c 11/06[58] Field of Search 179/107 S, 107 FD [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3/1960 Hollingsworth 179/107 S 5/1962 Strzalkowski179/107 S FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France 179/107 S PrimaryExaminer-Ralph D. Blakeslee Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Irving Seidman etal.

[57] ABSTRACT A spectacle hearing aid construction comprising of a frameincluding a pair of eyeglass supports connected by a bridge and a pairof temple members hingedly connected thereto. A respective microphone isreceived in each support and converts sound vibrations intocorresponding electric signals. A respective amplifying device in theframe is connected to each microphone for amplifying the electricsignals and converting the signals to amplified sound vibrations. Arespective sound applicator is connected to each amplifying device forapplying the sound vibrations from the associated amplifying device toeach ear of the user. The pair of microphones permits realization of thespacial resolution of the sound.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures HEARING AID CONSTRUCTION This inventionrelates generally to a hearing aid construction and, more particularly,pertains to a spectacle hearing aid construction which permits improvedspacial resolution of the sound.

The use of so-called spectacle hearing aids in which the hearing aid isincluded in the temple members of eyeglasses is presently gainingwidespread popularity primarily because of the cosmetic appearance ofthe glasses as opposed to the use of unsightly vest pockettype hearingaids having cords which dangle from the ears of the user. Thesespectacle hearing aids usually includes sound amplifying elements whichamplify the sound signals and apply the amplified signals to the earsvia a sound applicator. The amplifying circuit includes a pickup in theform of a microphone, usually mounted in a temple member, and anamplifier-transducer con nected to the sound applicator. However,problems have been encountered with this type of construction.

, For example, temple-mounted microphones normally face to the side ofthe wearer whereas most sounds, particularly those produced duringconversation, originate from a source located in front of the wearer. Asa result, some of the sounds may be missed by the party wearing thehearing aid. Additionally, and a greater disadvantage of suchconstruction is due to the fact that the sounds may be masked,particularly if a loud noise originates from a direction facing themicrophone.

Some constructions have attempted to ameliorate the situation bycentrally locating a single microphone directly on the lens mountingmembers, such as the construction shown in US. Pat. No. 2,613,282.However, this latter type of construction suffers from the drawback thatit is difficult to hear parties standing to the side of the listener.Moreover, and of greater import, is the fact that such constructions arespacially confusing. That is, it is difficult, if not impossible, todetect the direction from which the sound originates. This problem canlead to disasterous results if the person using such hearing aid hasimpaired vision or is blind.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide animproved spectacle hearing aid construction. I

A more specific object of this aspect of the invention is to provide aspectacle hearing aid construction which is responsive to both frontaland peripheral sounds.

A further object of the invention resides in the novel details ofconstruction which provide a spectacle hearing aid of the type describedwhich permit spacial resolution of the sound.

Accordingly, a spectacle hearing aid construction constructed accordingto the present invention-comprises a frame including a pair of eyeglasssupporting means connected together by a bridge for supporting a pair oflenses. A respective temple member is hingedly connected to each of thepair of supporting means adjacent the respective ends thereof. A pair ofmicrophones are provided for converting sound vibrations into electricalsignals and mounting means mounts a respective one of the pair ofmicrophones on each one of the pair of supporting means. A differentreproducing means in the frame is connected to each one of the pair ofmicrophones for amplifying the electric signals and for converting thesignals into amplified sound vibrations. Additionally, a respectivesound applicator means is connected to each one of the reproducing meansfor applying the sound vibrations from the associated reproducing meansto the respective ears of the wearer. Thus, the spaced microphonespermit spacial resolution of the sound in addition to detecting soundswhich originate both to the front of the user and to the side of theuser.

Other features and advantages of the present inven tion will become moreapparent from a consideration of the following detailed description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a spectacle hearing aid construction madein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation thereof showing the pair of eyeglasssupporting portions of the spectacle frame;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the temple members of theconstruction shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view, with parts broken away, of a modifiedembodiment of a spectacle hearing aid con struction made in accordancewith the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view, with parts broken away, of a further modifiedembodiment of a spectacle hearing aid construction.

A spectacle hearing aid construction made according to the presentinvention is designated generally by the reference numeral in FIG. 1 andincludes a spectacle frame 12 having a lens mounting portion 14 andrespective temple members 16 and 18. More specifically, the lensmounting portion 14 includes a pair of eyeglass supporting members 20and 22 connected together by a bridge 24. Each one of the eyeglasssupporting mem bers mounts a lens 26. Respective nose engaging pads (notshown) extend rearwardly from the eyeglass supporting members to supportthe frame 12 on the nose bridge of the wearer.

The members 20 and 22 include respective longitudinally outwardlyextending ears respectively designated 28 and 30. The temple members 16and 18 are respectively connected to the rear surface of the ears 28 and30 adjacent the end thereof'by hinges 32. Accordingly, the templemembers 16 and 18 may be folded across the lens mounting portion 14 inthe conventional manner or may be opened to a position substantiallyperpendicular to the lens mounting portion to permit the eyeglasses tobe worn on the face of the user.

Provided in each one of the ears 28 and 30 and spaced slightly inwardlyof the edges thereof are recesses 34 which receive respectivemicrophones 36 and 38. The microphones 36 and 38 communicate with thesurrounding area by respective air channels 40 and 42 so that soundvibrations from the surrounding area may reach the microphones. Themicrophones convert the sound vibrations into corresponding electricsignals which are applied to amplifier-transducer circuits which, inturn, amplify the electric signals and convert the signals intoamplified sound vibrations.

More specifically, the temple members l6 and 18 are hollow and eachtemple member receives a respective amplifier-transducer circuit 44 and46 therein. The circuit 44 is connected to the microphone 36 by a lead48 which extends along the interior of the temple member 16 and thru anopening adjacent the end thereof and into the recess 34. In a similarmanner, the circuit 46 is connected to the microphone 38 by a lead 50which extends along the interior of the temple member 18 and thru anopening adjacent the end thereof into the recess 34 associated with themicrophone 38. The circuits 44 and 46 are conventional in constructionand contain appropriate elements for amplifying the signals produced bythe respective microphones and for converting these amplified signalsback to sound vibrations of increased amplitude. A volume adjustmentwheel 52 (FIG. 3) ia associated with the circuit 46 for adjusting thevolume of the amplified signal to a desired level. A similar adjustment(not shown) may be provided for the circuit 44.

The circuits 44 and 46 are powered by respective batteries 54 and 56.Since the battery holders for the batteries 54 and 56 are identical inconstruction, only the holder associated with the battery 56 will bedescribed in detail. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, a holder 58 isprovided having essential aperture 60. The aperture 60 receives thebattery 56 therein. The holder 58 is pivotally connected to the templemember and is adapted to be pivoted to the dotted line postion shown inFIG. 3, wherein the battery 56 is accessible and may be removed andreplaced, and an operating position as shown in FIG. 2 wherein theholder 58 is received within the walls of the temple member 18. Aprojecting tab 62 facilitates movement of the holder from the closed tothe open position. Respective leads 64 and 66 connect battery contactingclips within the temple member to the respective amplifier-transducercircuits 44 and 46.

Connected to the output of the amplifier-transducer circuit 44 is asound applicator tube 68 which projects thru an opening (not shown) inthe inner wall of the temple member 16. The tube 68 is of conventionalconstruction and is adapted to be received in the ear adjacent thetemple member 16 to apply the sound vibrations produced by the circuit44 to the ear. In a similar manner, an open-ended tube 70 is connectedto the output of the amplifier-transducer circuit 46 and similarlyextends thru an opening (not shown) in the inner wall of the templemember 18. The applicator 70 is adapted to be received in the other earof the user to apply the sound vibrations produced by circuit 46 to theparty using the device.

In operation, the glasses are placed on the face of the user in theconventional manner. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the temple membersinclude a rearwardly and downwardly curved portion which fit behind theear of the user to maintain the spectacles on the face. The respectivetubes 68 and 70 are fitted within the ear and the volume adjustments 52of the respective circuits 44 and 46 may be adjusted to obtain thedesired amplitude of sound in the respective ears. Separate controls areprovided for the circuits 44 and 46 so that compensation for unequaldegrees of impaired hearing in each ear.

In view of the fact that the microphones 36 and 38 are separatedsubstantially by the width of the frame 12, the wearer can now spaciallyresolve the source of the sounds. For example, if the sounds originatefrom a point in front of the user and slightly to the left, theamplitude of the sound in the microphone 38 will be greater than theamplitude of the sound picked up by the microphone 36. Accordingly, thesound in the left ear of the party will be greater than the sound in theright ear and the user then realizes that the sound originates slightlyto his left. As noted here and above, the ability to spacially resolvethe source of the sound is exceedingly important for those people whohave impaired vision and, in particular, for blind people.

Accordingly, a spectacle hearing aid has been de scribed which isideally suited to detect sounds originating from in front and to theside of the user and which also permits the user to spacially resolvethe source of the sounds.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified embodiment of the device illustrated inFIGS. l3. Identical reference characters in FIGS. l-3 and FIG. 4indicate the same elements. The embodiment of FIG. 4, which isdesignated generally by the reference numeral 110, is identical to thespectacle hearing aid 10 with the exception of the temple member 18which is replaced by the temple member 118.

More particularly, the temple member 118 receives a microphone 72therein which communicates with the surrounding area thru an air channel74 which extends outwardly from the microphone 72. The microphone 72 isconnected between the microphone 38 and the amplifier-transducer circuit46. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the microphone is located forward ofthe ear. Additionally, instead of an open'ended tube a molded earpiece76 of conventional construction is connected to the output of theamplifier-transducer circuit 46 and is adapted to apply the soundvibrations to the ear of the user. The molded earpiece 76 substantiallyeliminates acoustic feedback since the earpiece completely fills the earchannel and prevents the escape of the audio sounds which, in theabsence of the earpiece, may be detected by the microphone 72. Inoperation, the microphone 36 detects the sounds in the conventionalmanner and these sounds are amplified by the circuit 44 and applied tothe ear of the user thru the open-ended tube 68. However, the soundsapplied to the other ear of the user are detected by both themicrophones 38 and 72. The microphone 72 increases the ability tospacially resolve the sounds on the left-hand side of the user sincesounds both in front of the user and to the left of the user may easilybe detected by the combination of microphones 38 and 72. To put thisanother way, the microphones 38 and 72 detect sounds originating eitherto the front or the left of the user and apply the electric signalsrepresentative of such sounds to the circuit 46. Thus, the area ofdetection of the sounds is substantially increased.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further modified embodiment of a spectacle hearingaid which is designated by the reference numeral 210. The hearing aid210 is substantially identical to'the hearing aid 110 and identicalreference characters in the various FIGS. indicate identical elements.In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the temple member 16 is replaced by atemple member 116 which receives an additional microphone 76 thereinwhich is connected between the microphone 36 and theamplifier-transducer circuit 44. An air channel 78 extends outwardlyfrom the microphone 76 to provide communication between the microphone76 and the surrounding area. The microphone 76 is located forward of theear of the user. Additionally, a molded earpiece 80 similar to themolded earpiece 76 is provided to eliminate acoustic feedback betweenthe microphone 76 and the ear of the user.

The addition of the microphone 76 permits the user to detect soundsoriginating from the right-hand side of the user in addition to soundsoriginating from the front and the left-hand side. Thus, by properlyselecting the microphones 72 and 76 to have the proper characteristics,the spectacle hearing aid 210 may detect sounds originating anywherewithin a 270 arc of the user. Additionally, in order to obtainpredominance of the frontal routing of the sound, the microphones 72 and76 may have a response which is lOdb less than the microphones 36 and38. This arrangement may also be provided in the embodiment of FlG. 4wherein the microphone 72 is made to have a response which is lOdb lessthan the microphones 38 and 36. It is obvious that the embodiment ofFIG. 5 further increases the ability to spacially resolve the source ofthe sounds.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed herein it is obvious that numerous omissions, changes andadditions may be made in such embodiments without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. For example, if the personusing the device has greater physical impairment in the right-hand earrather than the left-hand ear, the temple member 116 may be provided inconjunction with a temple member 18 rather than a temple member 1 18.

What is claimed is:

1. A spectacle hearing aid construction comprising a frame including apair of eyeglass supporting means connected together by a bridge forsupporting a pair of lenses, and a respective temple member hingedlyconnected to each of said pair of supporting means adjacent the endthereof; a pair of microphones for convetting sound vibrations intoelectrical signals, mounting means for mounting a respective one of saidpair of microphones on each one of said pair of supporting means, adifferent reproducing means in said frame connected to each one of saidpair of microphones for amplifying the electric signals and forconverting said signals into amplified sound vibrations, and amicrophone in one of said temple members connected to one of saidreproducing means.

2. A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 1, in which each ofsaid pair of eyeglass supporting means includes a laterally extendingear, and said mounting means includes a recess in each ear receiving theassociated microphone therein.

3. A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 2, in which saidmounting means further comprises an air channel between each microphoneand the front of each of said pair of supporting means to provideconduits for sound vibrations from the surrounding area to theassociated microphone.

4. A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 1, in which each oneof said reproducing means is carried by a different one of said templemembers.

5. A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 1, in which saidsound applicator means each comprise an open-ended plastic tube.

6. A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 1, said soundapplicator associated with said one reproducing means comprising amolded earpiece.

7. A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 6, in which saidmicrophone in said one temple member has a lower response than said pairof microphones.

8. A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 6, and a microphonein the other of said temple members connected to the other of saidreproducing means, said sound applicator associated with said otherreproducing means comprising a molded earpiece.

9. A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 8, in which theresponse of said microphones in said temple members is substantiallylOdb less than the response of said pair of microphones.

1. A spectacle hearing aid construction comprising a frame including apair of eyeglass supporting means connected together by a bridge forsupporting a pair of lenses, and a respective temple member hingedlyconnected to each of said pair of supporting means adjacent the endthereof; a pair of microphones for converting sound vibrations intoelectrical signals, mounting means for mounting a respective one of saidpair of microphones on each one of said pair of supporting means, adifferent reproducing means in said frame connected to each one of saidpair of microphones for amplifying the electric signals and forconverting said signals into amplified sound vibrations, and amicrophone in one of said temple members connected to one of saidreproducing means.
 2. A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim1, in which each of said pair of eyeglass supporting means includes alaterally extending ear, and said mounting means includes a recess ineach ear receiving the associated microphone therein.
 3. A spectaclehearing aid construction as in claim 2, in which said mounting meansfurther comprises an air channel between each microphone and the frontof each of said pair of supporting means to provide conduits for soundvibrations from the surrounding area to the associated microphone.
 4. Aspectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 1, in which each one ofsaid reproducing means is carried by a different one of said templemembers.
 5. A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 1, in whichsaid sound applicator means each comprise an open-ended plastic tube. 6.A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 1, said soundapplicator associated with said one reproducing means comprising amolded earpiece.
 7. A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 6,in which said microphone in said one temple member has a lower responsethan said pair of microphones.
 8. A spectacle hearing aid constructionas in claim 6, and a microphone in the other of said temple membersconnected to the other of said reproducing means, said sound applicatorassociated with said other reproducing means comprising a moldedearpiece.
 9. A spectacle hearing aid construction as in claim 8, inwhich the response of said microphones in said temple members issubstantially 10db less than the response of said pair of microphones.